Douglas Durkin
Founder
Immersed throughout his life in the art of creative expression, Douglas founded Durkin Design in 2002. He is driven and defined by the practice of integrating beauty and function, and the profound influence that design holds for the people who live with it.
After graduating from Cornell University, Douglas began his career in New York, and held positions with prominent design firms Ellen Lehman McCluskey and Robert Metzger. He relocated to San Francisco in 1989, and was a Design Principal with the Wiseman Group through 2002.
With an enduring passion for design and architecture, Douglas’ work is defined by his romantic approach and eclectic style. His focus is on creating spaces that express and complement who his clients are and how they live. The firm overall is known for its fidelity to quality experience and execution, rather than an adherence to any one visual style. This ethos results in Douglas’ seasoned expertise in a broad range of styles.
Douglas is deeply committed to the Bay Area design and arts community and has been involved with San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art since 2010.
He is one of the original founders of FOG Design + Art, the pre-eminent Bay Area design and art fair, benefitting the museum. He serves on the FOG Steering Committee, and is the Chair of the FOG Forum, which supports acquisitions for the museum’s Architecture and Design Collection.
Douglas served as Chair of the A & D Collection’s Accessions Committee for five years, as well as the Chair of the FF & E Oversite Committee for the Snohetta Expansion. He continues to serve on the A & D Accessions Committee, the museum’s Building Committee, and is a member of the Director’s Circle.
Nationally, Douglas is a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture, receiving the Julia Morgan Award in 2016 for large-scale residential interior design.
Durkin Design is based in San Francisco, and Douglas shares his time between San Francisco and New York.
